New York’s Mets face a decisive late-season sprint as a seven-game skid threatens their playoff hopes, even with Soto delivering MVP-like numbers. The AL Wild Card picture tightens with Seattle closing in on Houston, while the NL race features Mets, Giants, Reds and D-backs all within striking distance. Byes go to the Blue Jays and Tigers in the AL and Brewers and Phillies in the NL, but a final regular-season series tiebreaker will determine some crucial spots.

The stretch run promises volatility: a couple of wins can vault teams into clinching scenarios, while losses can flip a wildcard order overnight. Fantasy managers must monitor lineup shifts, bullpen usage, and park factors as teams jockey for a postseason berth in the two weeks ahead.

Jose Altuve exited Houston’s 6-2 win over Atlanta with right-foot discomfort, a cautious move by manager Joe Espada as the nine-time All-Star tests the issue.

Altuve, who leads Houston with 25 homers and has produced 70 RBIs while appearing in 144 games, sits at 2,378 career hits—second on the Astros’ franchise list behind Craig Biggio after passing Jeff Bagwell earlier this season. His status looms over Houston’s pursuit of the AL West crown, tied with Seattle.

Atlanta sits 0.5 games behind Pittsburgh for the second-best lottery odds with two weeks left, keeping a path to the top pick open and boosting the value of late-season moves for fantasy rosters. Each additional lottery position translates to a higher chance of landing the top pick, reshaping exposure to Braves prospects and potential trade leverage as the season winds down. The Braves’ fate in the lottery influences who threads the lineup in September and beyond, with implications for playing-time and upside across the roster.

Meanwhile, Atlanta ends its frustration with a 6-2 loss to Houston as Elder struggles and Olson pops a homer, the Blue Jays promote Trey Yesavage, the Dodgers put Will Smith on the IL, and Tarik Skubal reports no major issue and could return soon. These notes ripple through fantasy lineups: monitor Braves balance of veterans and youngsters, Dodgers catcher replacements, and Jays yesavage watch, while Skubal’s health could lift a suspect Tigers rotation down the stretch.

Houston star Jose Altuve exited Saturday’s game in Atlanta with right foot discomfort after starting at second base, singling in the third before being replaced by Ramon Urías. The moment came after a Friday performance in which Altuve went 2-for-4 with a homer, a rare bright spot in a month-long slump that has him at .170/.544 OPS over 29 games. The update adds a layer of uncertainty to Houston’s infield and lineup as the club evaluates his status moving forward.

Urías stepped in defensively for Altuve and could see increased action if the issue lingers, complicating daily fantasy and real-life projections. Fantasy managers should monitor updates closely, watching for any timetable on Altuve’s return and how Houston reshuffles its infield if the star misses time.